NY Jets could sign Allen Lazard for cheap with Aaron Rodgers rumors swirling

An Aaron Rodgers trade might not be official just yet, but the NY Jets are already looking into signing his buddies. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Tuesday morning that the Jets are "actively working to reach an agreement with Allen Lazard."

Lazard has spent the last five years of his career in Green Bay with Rodgers and has hinted at wanting to follow him to his next destination. All indications are that will be the case.

The move would also reunite Lazard with his former offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. Under Hackett's tutelage in 2021, Lazard finished with a career-high eight touchdowns in his first season as a starter.

The Iowa State product became the Packers' top wide receiver in 2022 following the departure of Davante Adams. He went on to finish with 60 catches for 788 yards and six touchdowns in what was a career-best season.

Lazard is a fine low-end WR2/high-end WR3 option who would be an ideal replacement for Corey Davis, and he might not come at a very high price either.

Why the NY Jets might be able to sign Allen Lazard for cheap

In a relatively weak crop of free-agent wide receivers, the receiver market was stagnant on Monday. That changed Tuesday when the Las Vegas Raiders signed former New England Patriots wideout Jakobi Meyers to a three-year, $33 million contract.

Meyers was considered by many to be the top wide receiver on the market this offseason, with reports suggesting he could make as much as $15 million per season. In the end, he settled for just $11 million in annual value.

That's great news for the Jets and other teams pursuing wide receivers in this market. Lazard was expected to come in at a price tag a little below Meyers, so it's certainly encouraging that the bar has been set lower than expected.

On top of that, there's the whole Rodgers factor. Assuming Rodgers is coming to the Jets, Lazard might take less to play with him. After all, he hasn't been shy about his desire to follow Rodgers wherever he goes this offseason.

If the Jets could sign Lazard for under $11 million per season, they would actually save money if they released Corey Davis as a corresponding move, which seems likely.

Lazard and Davis fill similar roles in the Jets' offense as big-bodied receivers who double as excellent run blockers. Davis is probably a better route runner, but Lazard is more versatile and doesn't carry the same injury baggage.

The Jets could be on the verge of adding one of Aaron Rodgers' favorite targets (for cheap!). It might not be long before a trade is officially announced.